On Wednesday 5th September, with a view to the European elections in May 2019, the pro-European cross-party Spinelli group presented its manifesto for constitutional reform of the European Union.
The group argues that deeper political integration is vital if the Union’s long-term future is to be assured. It believes “the creation of a real federal government for our continent is the best way to ensure peace and prosperity for the citizens of Europe”. That executive authority should be centred on the European Commission with a treasury empowered to levy taxes and issue Eurobonds. Thus, the Union would benefit from an “autonomous layer of federal sovereignty, complementary to the sovereignties of its member states”.
The Spinelli group is in favour of organising conventions for review of the European treaties. The treaty review proposals that a convention would put forward can only be blocked by the European Council acting unanimously, it states.
The manifesto foresees a new category of countries with the status of associate member of the EU for current member states not wishing to integrate more with their peers.
The Spinelli group administrative board is chaired by the former British Liberal MEP, Andrew Duff. Also taking part are Mercedes Bresso (S&D, Italy), Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany), Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany), Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland), Tom Vandenkendelaere (EPP, Belgium), Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium), Marietje Schaake (ALDE, Netherlands), and Sven Giegold (Greens/EFA, Germany).
The manifesto can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2M30Fge (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)